crochet designs inspired by the colours, country side, wild life and way of life of Australia. My goal is to liven up crochet, make it fun and relevant to today and include environmental message. Patterns can be used for personal use, creating gifts and limited charity fundraising. You can not sell or copy my patterns, nor are you licensed to sell finished items made from my patterns. I want my projects to cheer your day - cockatoo, kangaroo , didgeridoo, hooroo! (c) crochetroo

Sunday, February 21, 2010

I have been asked by many people to write out the pattern for the prayer shawl above. While I have been away from my blog over the Christmas period, I am finally back into crochet mode. We had a fabulous trip and I certainly finished off a number of UFOs which I will share with you all over the coming weeks. My first task though was to write up the green prayer shawl.

Remember I am an Aussie, so I use Australian/ UK terms in this pattern.

Charmed Prayer Shawl

This stitch is called Diamond Lattice. I found it in an old crochet stitch library and I am unsure of its origin. There are 4 rows to the pattern and it works up quite quickly. I added little metal charms at each end. I found these at the craft shop; however make sure that the holes are large enough for your yarn to thread through. I ended up with some ever so cute dragon flies which I couldn’t use as the holes were too narrow!

My green shawl was made of some angora and goat hair yarn that was made in Turkey. From memory I used about 4 - 5balls (100 gms balls). I like the tension on these to be quite loose so I used a 6mm hook.

You need a multiple of 10st plus 5, and then add 3 for the foundation row. I used 58ch and worked the shawl until it was 150cm or 59in long. The width was about 80cm or 30inches. I didn’t think to measure the tension however make your start ch and measure it unstretched to get an idea of the final shawl width. Fortunately these aren’t an exact science as long as the pattern multiples work out. This pattern has quite a bit a stretch and makes a lovely snugly shawl that feels like a warm hug.

I haven’t tested this so I hope it works out. THIS IS IN AUSTRALIAN / UK TERMS.

Row 2. 3ch start, miss 2tr, make 4tr between 2nd and 3rd tr of prev row, *9ch miss 9ch, 4tr between 2nd and 3rd tr of next group of 4tr. Repeat from * across row, 1tr in top of turning ch

Row 3.This row requires some concentration but once you get the hang of it is easy.

3ch start, 4tr between centre 2nd and 3rd tr of 4tr group.

*4ch, miss 4ch working over previous chain (so as to trap them) work 1dc into 5th ch of the first row, TURN and work back along the 4ch thus: 3ch start, 6dtr over the 4ch loop, now TURN, 3ch start missing first dtr, 1tr into each of next 5dtr, 1tr into top of 3ch (this is the diamond in the pattern), miss 4ch, 4tr between the 2nd and 3rd tr of the next 4ch group, repeat from *across , 1tr into top of start ch, turn.

Row 7.This is a repeat of row 3 however make 1dc into the top corner of the Diamond, working over the 3 rows of 9ch so as to catch them.

The pattern repeat is from rows 4 – 7.When your shawl is long enough, work till row 6 of the repeat - you will have 2 rows of 9ch loops.

Edging

3ch start, miss 2tr, make 2tr between 2nd and 3rd tr of prev row, *9ch add a charm by pulling the loop through the charm hole, make another 9ch then slst into top of tr, 2tr between 2nd and 3rd tr, 4ch, 1dc into tip of previous diamond, 4ch repeat from * across, 1tr top of start ch, finish off.

The bottom edge is worked in the same as the top edge. Join yarn at start edge and repeat as above. Because the pattern is upside down you will need to align the dc with the bottom corner of each diamond, and work the tr into the ch at the base of the 4tr in row 1.

This is an addit to my post late last year:

When I gave the shawl to my friend wrapped up as a gift, she asked me would it make her cry? I said maybe, but not for long as it will keep you warm.The next day she sent me this email, which brought a tear to my eye.

“ Dear Susan,

The answer is yes, I did cry and yes it will keep me warm.

What a beautiful gift. I am very touched and will treasure the shawl forever, particularly in light of the beautiful words you have written. It will indeed be a hug from (my daughter).

It has been a very very difficult journey and to be honest it was far more difficult and emotionally draining before (my daughter) passed away. Now there seems to be an emotional tearful period every day, albeit reducing in size.I will keep the shawl close by so I can have a 'hug' when I need it most.

You cannot begin to understand how much I appreciate such thoughtfulness and support. I think the tangible support of friends does reinforce that you are not alone and people are thinking about you - that in itself provides enormous strength, so thank you very much.

Losing a child as about the worst thing that could ever happen but I feel very privileged to have shared such a journey so intimately and to have developed such a wonderful relationship with my daughter. I saw her mature in a way that I think many people strive for all their lives and never succeed. I also witnessed her strength and courage and I sincerely pray that when confronted with my own mortality I am able to be as faithful, gracious and brave.

Thank you so much.”

If you have any difficulties following the pattern please leave me a message.

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About Me

I have been crocheting all my life, and my kids find this an amusing if not nerdy hobby. I am now at the stage of life where I can do as I please. My work is inspired by my homeland Australia. Both the wildlife and way of life give me inspiration. I like to have an environmental message in my work. I am a greeny and a member of Greenpeace. Hence I loathe bunnies. I reckon there are way too many crochet bunnies in the world without me creating more.
check out my etsy store for crochet critters and other stuff from down under:
http://crochetroo.etsy.com/